Crypto
Bitcoin’s Trillion-Dollar Comeback: The Market Shift You Can’t Ignore
The cryptocurrency landscape in 2025 has been dramatically reshaped by Trump’s unexpected … [+]
Bitcoin, blockchain and cryptocurrency were all hot topic trends a few years back. But technology waits for no one, and with all the hype around AI, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s been forgotten. Not so.
In fact, those who have been keeping up with the news will have noticed that there’s been a resurgence of interest in the decentralized digital currency and the revolutionary distributed ledger technology that it’s built on.
So why is this? What impact will it have on the value of bitcoins – one of the best-performing investments in living memory? And what is the current state of play of the technology that many have predicted will be the “future of money”?
Let’s take a look at what’s going on in the world of bitcoin, blockchain and cryptocurrency as we head into 2025!
So Remind Me – What Is Bitcoin Again?
Bitcoin is the first and best-known cryptocurrency, a type of digital currency. Cryptocurrencies (or “crypto”) differ from earlier digital currencies in two key ways. First, they are decentralized, meaning the database that records balances and transactions (called a blockchain) is shared across hundreds of thousands of computers. These computers must reach “consensus,” so no single person or organization controls the network. Second, transactions are secured with encryption, allowing only those with the right keys to access and spend funds in their private wallets.
Some believe Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies could become the foundation of future financial systems. This is because they can handle transactions without middlemen or central banks, avoiding issues like inflation caused by currency value manipulation. However, critics argue crypto doesn’t solve these problems and introduces others, including high environmental costs and challenges in regulation, which attract money launderers, criminals, and scammers.
However, Bitcoin is probably most famous for its explosive growth in value. In 2010, 10,000 Bitcoin were used to buy two pizzas. Today, one Bitcoin is worth nearly $100,000—an increase of close to five billion percent. In comparison, gold rose by just over 100% in the same period, while the value of the US dollar dropped by about 45% due to inflation.
The Trump Train
Whether you view him as a controversial or transformative figure, Trump’s influence on financial markets as both the 45th and 47th president is undeniable. Trump’s ringing endorsement of Bitcoin – a markedly different attitude to that of former incumbents -is being credited with accelerating the current resurgence of interest in cryptocurrency.
Since announcing his belief that the US should stockpile the digital currency at a convention in the summer of 2024, the price of Bitcoin has rocketed, and mainstream interest in its use as an investment vehicle is off the scale.
Bitcoin fans say that Trump’s interest will drive other countries to integrate cryptocurrencies into their own economic strategies. This will hasten its adoption into the global financial system, further driving up its value and leading to more innovation and disruption.
So What Are Altcoins?
Altcoin is a name used to describe cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin, so it refers to alternative coins. Currently, the market cap of all cryptocurrencies stands at around $3.5 trillion – slightly higher than the GDP of the UK ($3.4 trillion).
The most well-known altcoin and number-two cryptocurrency is Ethereum, which is blockchain-based like Bitcoin but includes additional functionality. This includes the ability for computer code to be executed on the blockchain, enabling smart contracts. This would allow a blockchain to be programmed to automatically make a payment when pre-determined conditions are met, such as a piece of work being completed.
Another category of altcoin is meme coins. These are cryptocurrencies based on internet memes, the most famous one being Doge Coin, based on a popular image of a dog, frequently shared on social media and internet message boards. Sounds like a joke, right? Except the market cap of meme coins stands at $120 billion as of writing, and Elon Musk is apparently planning on naming a new branch of the US government after Doge.
The Future Of Money?
So, what does the future hold for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency – once seemingly close to forgotten as the AI craze took hold, but now firmly back on the agenda?
The resurgence in interest – not to mention monetary value – suggests that the technology is resilient and unlikely to simply fade into obscurity, as was predicted during its slump.
But will it go on to become the backbone of a new, fairer and more efficient financial infrastructure, as fans believe? Or will it always be a speculative bubble facilitating gambling, get-rich-quick schemes and scams?
Well, a lot may depend on how successful the incoming US president’s planned shake-up of the economy will be. This is a question that economic analysts are currently divided on.
With increasing adoption and high levels of FOMO due to its rocketing price, its status as a store of value and hedge against inflation – which had led to it sometimes being considered as “digital gold” counts in its favor. The ongoing evolution of more innovative features and functionality, such as Ethereum’s smart contracts, will likely add to this.
On the other hand, there are clearly still challenges around regulation, such as the high level of volatility that leads to regular crashes in value and high levels of energy use.
All of this may count for little in the end, however. Bitcoin has already forced us to rethink the way we treat currency and value, demonstrating that it may be possible to build a more efficient and democratic financial system based on technology and mathematics rather than central banks.
And as with other transformative technologies – AI and the internet being two examples – once Pandora’s box is opened, it’s very hard to stop it from changing the world.
Crypto
Bitdeer Invests $36 Million in First US Sealminer Factory as Bitcoin Mining Margins Stay Tight
Key Takeaways
- Bitdeer is building a $36M Nevada plant to produce 10,000 Sealminer units monthly by 2026.
- Sealminer efficiency targets weak mining margins as hashprice stays near historic lows.
- Bitdeer is expanding U.S. manufacturing and AI infrastructure to strengthen long-term growth.
Bitdeer Targets 10,000 Monthly Sealminer Units With New $36 Million Nevada Factory
Bitdeer is moving ahead with a major U.S. manufacturing push, breaking ground on a $36 million advanced electronics facility in Sparks, Nevada, even as bitcoin mining economics remain near historic lows.
The 187,000-square-foot plant will be the company’s first domestic manufacturing and assembly site in the U.S. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and is designed to produce 10,000 Sealminer units per month.
Bitdeer said the project will create about 70 local jobs across engineering, skilled technician and support roles. The facility will expand the company’s U.S. footprint beyond mining and data centers, adding a domestic production base for its proprietary mining machines.
“Producing our advanced Sealminer units right here in Nevada reflects our long-term commitment to building capacity and nurturing the talent necessary to support our growing digital infrastructure operations in America,” remarked Paul Hanson, Chairman of Bitdeer Industrial.
Vertical Integration During a Mining Slump
The timing is notable. Bitcoin miners are still dealing with weak hashprice, a key measure of mining revenue per unit of computing power.
Spot hashprice was recently around $29.81 per PH/s/day, after touching a daily low of $27.89 on Feb. 24. March also marked a record-low monthly average of $31.27, according to industry data.
The pressure reflects several factors: the April 2024 halving, rising network hashrate, and low transaction-fee revenue. Together, they have reduced revenue for miners using the same amount of computing power.
At these levels, profitability is increasingly concentrated among operators with cheap power and newer, more efficient machines.
Bitdeer is trying to address that pressure through vertical integration. The company has been developing its own Sealminer hardware and deploying the machines across its self-mining fleet.
Catherine Guo, CEO of Bitdeer Industrial, commented that the Sparks plant reflects the company’s contribution to Nevada’s diversifying economy.
“Our commitment underscores the state’s strategic advantages, including a highly accessible and skilled workforce, robust logistics networks, and a consistently business-friendly environment,” Guo said.
U.S. Expansion Meets AI Demand
The Nevada facility will complement Bitdeer’s existing U.S. data centers and its innovation hub in San Jose, California.
The project also comes as Bitdeer expands across mining and AI infrastructure. In its May operating update, the company reported 70.2 EH/s of self-mining hashrate, 921 bitcoin mined during the month, and about $69 million of annualized recurring revenue from its AI Cloud business.
Bitdeer also said it was in advanced talks with a potential colocation tenant at its Tydal, Norway site. That follows a broader industry trend in which miners are exploring AI and high-performance computing uses for power-rich data center assets.
The facility is expected to begin contributing to Bitdeer’s manufacturing capacity as the mining hardware market becomes more selective. Weak hashprice can slow equipment demand, but it can also push well-capitalized miners to replace older machines with more efficient models.
Crypto
British Airline Jet2 Shares Jump 9% After $536M Fuel Hedge Gain Offsets Middle East Travel Fears
Key Takeaways
- Jet2 recorded a $536 million balance sheet windfall on July 8 after locking in low-cost fuel derivatives.
- The Middle East conflict triggered a 67% decline in annual cash inflows as travelers delayed holiday bookings.
- CEO Steve Heapy announced a $335 million buyback program and expanding operations at London Gatwick Airport.
Sector Resilience Amid Fuel Volatility
British airline and package holiday provider Jet2 defied intense geopolitical instability and travel sector panic triggered by the Middle East war by reporting a more than $500 million balance sheet boost, fueled by the rising price of jet fuel.
As the conflict in the Middle East escalated, spiking fuel rates caused the value of the company’s fuel derivatives to soar. According to Jet2’s full financial results released July 8, an extra $536 million in income was primarily driven by these favorable fair value movements.
The financial buffer comes after widespread fears earlier this year that rising energy costs could push airlines into bankruptcy and force massive summer holiday cancellations. In the United States, higher fuel prices contributed to the collapse of low-budget airline Spirit in May. The United Kingdom had been labeled as the nation “most exposed” to the jet fuel crisis, forcing government ministers to scramble to protect airline fuel access and temporarily suspend airport capacity rules.
While Jet2 was able to mitigate the price shock, the broader conflict still took a toll on booking behaviors. The airline conceded that ongoing travel uncertainty from the war caused holidaymakers to delay their trips and book much closer to their departure dates than usual. As a result, Jet2’s cash inflow plummeted by 67% to approximately $103 million for the fiscal year ending March 31.
Financially, Jet2 reported mixed full-year results. Group revenue climbed 4% to $10.05 billion, but pre-tax profit slipped 7% to $738.6 million, hit hard by lower income earned on its cash deposits.
Despite the profit dip, operational metrics showed strong consumer demand. Jet2 increased its total seat capacity by 8% to 24 million and flew 20.8 million passengers — a 5% increase year-over-year. The company also announced a new $335 million share buyback program, pointing to robust liquidity and confidence in its midterm outlook.
On the stock market, shares of the AIM-listed company jumped 9% to $19.92 at Wednesday’s opening bell, leaving the stock up 5% for the year.
Chief Executive Issues Tax Warning
The financial report coincided with an aggressive political warning from Jet2 Chief Executive Steve Heapy. Speaking to shareholders, Heapy cautioned political figures — specifically naming prominent politician Andy Burnham — against treating the aviation and holiday industry as a “cash cow.”
Burnham is widely anticipated to enter Downing Street later this month following recent political shifts.
“Don’t treat the aviation or holiday industry as a cash cow, because taxes increase the price of flying,” Heapy said, pointing out that Jet2 had to absorb $67 million in additional regulatory and tax costs over the last year. “I think, you know, enough is enough.”
Operationally, Jet2 is pushing a major expansion strategy designed to challenge the UK’s dominant legacy carriers. In March, the airline launched a six-aircraft hub at London Gatwick Airport, signaling an aggressive move out of its traditional northern England strongholds. The company notes it now operates within a 90-minute drive of more than 90% of the UK population.
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